[jaaps]

As concerned to "rejected for duplicating Apple functionality“ Apple might be interested in what third parties come up with. And perhaps skip their own solutions.
I'm still waiting for TomTom software to be approved... The Google Maps is cute, bute useless.

[Macalways]

Keeping in mind that my years involved in the publishing business as as writer, editor and publisher, primarily for the science sector, I do take exception to your statement (IMO),

{quote}But even beyond that, book publishing is a bad analogy. At least in the tech industry, no one writes an entire book in the hopes that a publisher will publish it. It's a collaborative process, and each side is involved from start to finish. There's little chance that once you finish the book, the publisher will reject it.{quote}

Although I do admit, that perhaps more rejections wouldn't hurt since most online articles seem to have been published without any responsible guidleines whatsoever.

What I have taken away from the article in contest, comments and reactions to it, is that Apple is no different from RIM or Nokia. That a couple of rejections out of thousands of submissions are being exampled without confirmation, but with hearsay evidence and are really the only basis for coming to a threatening conclusion. That those who come to Apple's support are chastised vehemently by the same bunch of naysayers that, without compromise, continually spewed half-truth after half-truth without equal and proportionate editorial correction (IMO).

The Diary Of Anne Frank received the following rejection comment: "The girl doesn't, it seems to me, have a special perception or feeling which would lift that book above the curiosity' level." The book was rejected 16 times before it was published by Doubleday in 1952. More than 30 million copies are currently in print, making it one of the best-selling books in history. (Rotten Rejections)

Perhaps Apple not allowing large file or podcasts is just precautionary and interim measure to ensure that the iPhone is not used to adversely affect service, or without control whatsoever result in the glitch with the the likes of what has just been reported about what happened on Hulu.com.

[FormerPCWonk]

Google Maps is useless? Hmmm. . . that would seem to be a pretty severe exaggeration. Granted, it may not suit your needs, but there's a world of difference between "it's not useful to me" and "useless." A narrow argument is more easily defended, and it prevents people like me from taking exception with your overly dramatic wording.

With respect to the other discussions on this board, each of you have an opinion that you seem determined to keep. There's really no point of any further discussion, especially now that it's degenerated into "you're wrong because I'm right." Apple has the right to do what they wish to do with their product. Their choice of actions here may turn out to be inappropriate, but only the market can determine that. To those who believe Apple isn't letting the market decide, your point is reasonable, but even then it depends on what you perceive the market to be. Is the "market" actually iPhone owners, or is it potential smartphone buyers who have already made their decision by choosing the iPhone? It is arguable either way, and no one is "wrong," but the back and forth is no longer productive.

[Dan Frakes]

Macalways said:

What I have taken away from the article in contest, comments and reactions to it, is that Apple is no different from RIM or Nokia. That a couple of rejections out of thousands of submissions are being exampled without confirmation, but with hearsay evidence and are really the only basis for coming to a threatening conclusion..

Serious question: Where do you get the impression than these are "being exampled without confirmation," and that the evidence in the article is hearsay?

[Chris Breen]

Dan Frakes said:

Serious question: Where do you get the impression than these are "being exampled without confirmation," and that the evidence in the article is hearsay?

Dude, didn't you get the memo that we're the Apple bashing media?

Duh.

We don't talk to developers (even off the record).

We're part of a cabal to keep the truth from our readers.

We're secretly on the take from Microsoft (and, probably worse, the Trilateral Commission).

And mostly, we really, really want to see Apple fail because it's in our interest to find new exciting jobs in the coffee serving industry.

[Glenn_Fleishman]

[quote name='Chris Breen']
>

Dan Frakes said:

> Serious question: Where do you get the impression than these are "being exampled without confirmation," and that the evidence in the article is hearsay?Dude, didn't you get the memo that we're the Apple bashing media?

Duh.

We don't talk to developers (even off the record).

We're part of a cabal to keep the truth from our readers.

We're secretly on the take from Microsoft (and, probably worse, the Trilateral Commission).

And mostly, we really, really want to see Apple fail because it's in our interest to find new exciting jobs in the coffee serving industry.

This is what's a bit depressing about some of the commenters on this thread.

They seem to assume that Jason Snell is in a state of perfect ignorance; that, like some technology pundits I won't name here, that he conjures his columns full cloth instead of, for instance, taking personal time to attend C[4] recently, where he mingled with dozens of leading, interesting, independent software developers. That Jason and Macworld (and we contributors by extension) apparently sit in locked windowless rooms scheming how to denigrate Apple without evidence.

Ah, well. Maybe it's a minorty view, thoroughly expressed. Many people distrust journalists these days (80% of Americans? something like that), and that must spill over here.

[Chris Breen]

Glenn_Fleishman said:

>Many people distrust journalists these days (80% of Americans? something like that), and that must spill over here.

I'm not sure it's that. I think it's "Barry Bonds" mentality. At the risk of taking this, quite literally, in an "inside baseball" direction...

I'm a San Francisco Giants fan. But when it was pretty clear that Barry was on the juice and his records were suspect, I lost respect for him as a player and for the Giants as a team for supporting it. Yet talk to a lot of Giants fans and it's "Hey, everyone does it, what's the big deal?" or "Hey, there's no proof!" Yet mention Roger Clemens to these same fans and somehow that's a big problem.

And I think that's the issue here. Some people can't see beyond their loyalty to the team. Apple can do no wrong and therefore those who question their actions must be wrong. Yet, flip the situation where "the enemy" (Microsoft, Intel, IBM, enemy-of-the-day) does something similar and it's an unforgivable sin.

I'm glad Apple has fans -- I'm often one myself. But when you cross the line from fan to fanatic, who's going to take you seriously? (Answer: Other fanatics.)

[ChopinBlues]

OK, maybe Apple-bashing is a bit harsh. But really you guys, it does seem to those (few) of us who are still supportive of Apple, that this topic has been an extremely overdone, with a very negative focus on this one issue. Other evidence to support this stance:

1) where is the article focusing on the outcome of the 10.5.5 release, which is now 2 weeks old? In the past, there has always been an article like this after a major Apple update. Now, nothing.

2) ditto for the iPhone 2.1 release. In fact, even more so, since this release is now a month old, and was surely even more of a major update than 10.5.5!!!

3) regular articles talking about the numerous iPhone/touch app releases and updates. There have been virtually none of these, in a time period where probably a thousand new apps have appeared. This in particular seems to me to be a gross dereliction of your mission. Some of the other Mac news sites have done 10 times as many reviews in this area.

[baddawg]

I wish that Apple would allow a 3rd party to host applications for the iPhone. However this will rob Apple of it cut of the profits from hosting and "selling" these applications. There are many other reasons that Apple doesn't want open iPhone, other than profit, to the public like lawsuits for indecent materials. However they don't limit the songs or videos you put on you iPhone so what gives here.
Apple is in a dilemma for classifying the iPhone, should it be open (reasonably, if you want to void the warranty that is up to you also) like the Macintosh product line or closed so Apple has control of the content and limit the apps and other material on the iPhone.
IHMO they should open iPhone to more apps and not give the stupid excuse of "Duplicate Application".

[Chris Breen]

ChopinBlues said:

1) where is the article focusing on the outcome of the 10.5.5 release, which is now 2 weeks old? In the past, there has always been an article like this after a major Apple update. Now, nothing.

You mean this and this?

Quote

2) ditto for the iPhone 2.1 release. In fact, even more so, since this release is now a month old, and was surely even more of a major update than 10.5.5!!!

ditto this?

Quote

3) regular articles talking about the numerous iPhone/touch app releases and updates. There have been virtually none of these, in a time period where probably a thousand new apps have appeared. This in particular seems to me to be a gross dereliction of your mission. Some of the other Mac news sites have done 10 times as many reviews in this area.

Oh, you mean this?

Seriously, you can't hold us responsible if you can't take the time to search the site for the articles you're after.

[hypermark]

This is a really good analogy, Chris, and appropos, as we know those types on the sports discussion side of the spectrum.

Me personally, my relationship with Apple goes back to 1993-4 and spreads across eight different startups (one venture Apple as a direct customer/partner, another Apple bought the venture). I love Apple in the same way that I love the Lakers (my sports team of choice). That said, I have no trouble spotlighting areas where I see the company doing good or not so good. If anything, intellectual honesty about the good, bad or ugly of anything is the fulcrum of real love/engagement than pure zealotry.

I have written ~10 posts on Apple, with the majority highly favorable of the company, its strategy, execution and unfair advantages. Yet it never fails. A negative post, and/or a negative comment on another post is treated as, "you must be an apple basher."

Such is life, and without passion on these things (on either side of the debate), you might as well be working at Quiznos (no pun intended on state of financial market, and no knock on Quiznos). :-)


Mark

[Glenn_Fleishman]

hypermark said:

I have written ~10 posts on Apple, with the majority highly favorable of the company, its strategy, execution and unfair advantages. Yet it never fails. A negative post, and/or a negative comment on another post is treated as, "you must be an apple basher."

This makes me wonder whether there's a place for a forum called Reasoned Apple Discussion. There'd be about 10 of us, I'm afraid.

[Bobapple]

I was ruthlessly attacked for criticizing MobileMe - it lost my contacts, wiped out my appointments, when I erased my trial iWeb sites, it eliminated the three photo galleries (unrelated to anything else in the MobileMe realm) - I was called a whiner, etc. etc. Felt a little weird as an Apple evangelist for more than 20 years (and believe me, I have the battle scars to show for it), to be dissed by someone who just discovered Apple when they brought the iPod to market. C'est la vie.
Still waiting to hear back from the MailWrangler guy - haven't seen his app in the store yet, but he seems to have withdrawn. Appreciate Chris Breen going to the trouble to respond to the crit about coverage with the links - I'll probably lose the afternoon now....;-}

[Kontra]

Chris Breen said:

And I think that's the issue here. Some people can't see beyond their loyalty to the team. Apple can do no wrong and therefore those who question their actions must be wrong.

Or it could simply be that your call on this issue is just wrong.

For example, here's a Macworld article you wrote in 2004:

bq. iPod mini at a Maxi Price? I'm withholding final judgment until I hold one in my hand, but at first blush, the iPod mini hints that much of Apple was on lunch break when the "Power Mac G4 Cube: Lessons Learned" memo circulated. [http://...] But right now, it seems overpriced by at least $50.
At the time it was fashionable to bash Apple for "high" prices. Every pundit did it, because it was easily the herd mentality. The iPod mini turned out to be the best selling MP3 player out there. Had apple listened to the chorus, they would have left a lot of money on the table.
Since a lot of the facts in this case are not available to everyone outside of Cupertino, before you speculate and call it the beginning of the end, perhaps you may want to stop branding those who disagree with you with the fanboyism brush and consider that you might be exaggerating much of this?